These regulations specify minimum acoustic performance requirements for teaching spaces, particularly in recognition of the requirements of the Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001 for integration of children with special needs in mainstream schools.

Why is acoustics in schools important?

Ambient background noise affects both speech intelligibility and concentration. Student and teacher performance is proven to be better in low ambient noise conditions.

Long reverberation times (typical in older school buildings) adversely affect speech intelligibility, especially at a distance from the source of sound (usually the teacher's voice).

Ambient noise and reverberation time are the most important parameters to know. These parameters cannot adequately be calculated in furnished rooms and must be measured on site.